Adela filled in as regent for her husband's duties during his extended absence as a leader of the First Crusade (1095–1098).[1] During the expedition he wrote her two letters containing news about the crusaders' activities. He returned to Blois and ruled his vast holdings until he was asked to fulfill an earlier pledge to defend Jerusalem. He was killed in an ill-advised battle charge at Ramalah in 1101 during this second expedition. Adela again acted as regent after her husband's death. Orderic Vitalis praises her as a "wise and spirited woman" who ably governed her husband's estates and her own. Her combined estates in 1102-1110 nearly exceeded the wealth of the King of France at that time.
Adela, a devout Benedictine sympathizer, employed several high-ranking tutors to educate her children including troubadour poets, as well as Peter Abelard and Peter of Morlait. Her youngest son, Henry, was conceived during the single year Stephen was in France between crusading duties. At two years of age Henry was pledged to the Church at Cluny, Chreit sur Loire as an Oblate child. Henry turned out to be a great genius, who went on to be appointed Abbot of Glastonbury and Bishop of Winchester which eventually made him far more powerful than the king and wealthier than anyone in England. In that capacity he sponsored hundreds of constructions including bridges, canals, palaces, forts, castles and whole villages. In addition, Bishop Henry built dozens of abbeys and chapels and sponsored books including the treasured Winchester Bible.
Adela quarrelled with her eldest son William, who was described by unsympathetic authors, as: "deficient in intelligence as well as degenerate". Recent research indicates that he was boisterous and prone to violent bouts of temper but was not degenerate or retarded. Adela appointed his younger brother Theobald to replace him as heir in 1107. Her son Stephen moved to London in 1111 to join his uncle's court and became the favorite of his uncle King Henry I (Beauclerc). Upon Beauclerc's death in Normandy (1135), Stephen of Blois seized the English throne. He was crowned King when his cousin Empress Matilda failed to act quickly. This action led to numerous battles and an era known as "The Anarchy."
Adela retired to Marcigny Convent in 1120. Later that same year, her daughter Lucia-Mahaut, was drowned in the wreck of the White Ship alongside her husband. Adela lived long enough to see her son Stephen on the English throne, and took pride in the ascension of her youngest child Henry Blois to the bishopric of Winchester. She died on 8 March 1137 in Marsilly, Poitou-Charentes, France (wikipedia.con)
Had other children as well (Williamson, David. Debrett's kings and queens of Britain. Topsfield, Mass. : Salem House Publishers, 1986, pg. 43).